Alright, folks, let’s dive into this little project of mine. I got this wild hair to try and remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. Yeah, that super fancy watch everyone’s always drooling over. I saw it in some magazine, and I thought, “Why not give it a shot?” So, I started by gathering all the info I could find on this thing.
First, I searched the internet, reading articles, and looking at pictures. I dug up some specs like:
- Movement Diameter: 31mm or 27mm.
- Thickness: 2.55mm or 3.3mm.
- Number of parts: 212
These numbers seemed important, so I wrote them down. I even found out it has this “Clous de Paris” pattern, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s got a cool texture on it.
Started sketching things out, just rough drawings, you know? Tried to figure out how all those 212 parts fit together. I used pencils, rulers, and a whole lot of erasers. It was messy, but it helped me visualize the process. I even made a few cardboard cutouts to get a feel for the size and shape.
Next, I had to get my hands on some materials. I got some metal sheets, some tiny screws, and other bits and pieces from the hardware store. Then, the real fun began. I started cutting, filing, and shaping the metal.
Let me tell you, this was the hardest part. Getting everything to fit just right took forever. I spent hours bending tiny pieces of metal, trying to make them look like the pictures I found. Some parts, I had to redo multiple times. It was frustrating, but I kept at it.
Slowly but surely, the watch started to take shape. I assembled the movement, piece by piece, following my sketches and the specs I found. Each part had to be carefully placed and secured. I used tweezers, magnifying glasses, and a whole lot of patience. There were moments I almost gave up, but I pushed through.
After what felt like an eternity, I finally had something that resembled a watch. I even tried to recreate that “Clous de Paris” pattern. I used a small hammer and a nail to make tiny dents in the metal. It wasn’t perfect, but it added a bit of that fancy texture.
Finally, I put the whole thing together. It was a moment of truth. I wound it up, and… it ticked! It actually worked! I couldn’t believe it.
The Result
My homemade Calatrava 6119G-001 wasn’t an exact replica, but it was close enough for me. It kept time, had a similar look, and even had a bit of that textured pattern. I was pretty darn proud of myself. It was a long, tough process, but I learned a ton about watchmaking and about my own patience.
Now, I’m not saying I’m a master watchmaker or anything. But this project showed me that with enough determination and a little bit of elbow grease, you can achieve some pretty cool things. It was a fun ride, and I’m happy I took it. Plus, I saved a bunch of money not buying the real deal!
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